Note: She could have taken more than 3 hours. She elected not to do it.
According to the article
When pressure from raising their children appeared to be getting to Mrs. Yates, she could always look forward to Thursdays. Mr. Yates testified that for three hours once each week from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Mrs. Yates could do whatever she wanted, alone, without the children.
Ms. Wilcott said Mrs. Yates felt criticized for the way she ran the household. Ms. Wilcott said Mrs. Yates told her that her husband bought her a book on how to get organized.
I guess if she had just read the book he bought her she could have been better organized and then would have had more time to herself.
I would not tell my husband how much time he could spend on himself and he wouldn't tell me how much time I can spend in my personal pursuits. We know that in order to be a happy couple we each need time alone as well as together.